Job 9:28-35

28 I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know You will not acquit me.[a]
29 Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain?[b]
30 If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 then You dip me in a pit [of mud], and my own clothes despise me!
32 For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him,[c] that we can take each other to court.
33 There is no one to judge between us, to lay his hand on both of us.[d]
34 Let Him take His rod away from me so His terror will no longer frighten me.[e]
35 Then I would speak and not fear Him. But that is not the case; I am on my own.

Job 9:28-35 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Footnotes 5

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